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Massachusetts Introduces Benefit Stack to Help Unemployed Residents Get More Support

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  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, December 4th 2025 at 15:11 GMT by Patch

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Massachusetts Introduces a “Benefit Stack” to Help Unemployed Residents Get More Support
Patch.com – 500‑+ word summary

When the pandemic first surged across Massachusetts, the state’s unemployment insurance system was strained to its limits. With record numbers of people out of work and a rapidly expanding benefit package that included federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and the recently passed Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) extension, many residents found themselves caught between overlapping programs. Patch’s article “Here’s How MA Stacks Unemployment” explains how the Commonwealth’s new “benefit stack” policy seeks to streamline that maze and provide a more comprehensive safety net for the state’s most vulnerable workers.

1. The Problem: Too Many Rules, Too Few Answers

Before 2023, Massachusetts residents who were receiving unemployment insurance (UI) were subject to a patchwork of rules. Certain benefits—like the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)—could not be claimed at the same time as UI because of “income‑based” eligibility requirements. The patchwork not only complicated the application process, it also left many people under‑supported. In a 2022 study by the Massachusetts Department of Labor (MDOL), nearly 38 % of unemployed residents reported that they were forced to choose between health insurance subsidies and SNAP, and that “the paperwork was overwhelming.”

The patchwork was compounded by administrative friction. For instance, the UI system calculates weekly benefits based on a worker’s “wage period”—the two‑week period before a claim is filed. The EITC, on the other hand, requires a full tax return that may include multiple forms of income that are hard to reconcile with the UI benefit schedule. As a result, many people were either denied assistance they were eligible for or had to wait weeks for approvals.

2. What Is a Benefit Stack?

At its core, a “benefit stack” is an administrative framework that allows eligible individuals to receive multiple government assistance programs simultaneously—essentially stacking one benefit on top of another without the typical “income‑detriment” cut‑offs. In Massachusetts’ case, the MDOL has rolled out a policy that explicitly permits unemployed residents to claim:

Under the stack, the state removes the “income cap” that normally bars a worker from receiving, for example, Mass‑SNAP while on UI. Instead, the program uses a “capped benefit” approach: UI benefits are counted toward the worker’s total benefit amount but do not reduce eligibility for other assistance beyond the amount the other program is designed to provide. This approach mirrors the “combined benefits” method used in several other states, but Massachusetts has been the first in New England to formalize the stack.

3. Eligibility & Application Process

Step 1 – Apply for UI
All unemployed workers file a UI claim through the MDOL’s online portal, https://www.mass.gov/unemployment-insurance. The system auto‑calculates weekly benefits and sends an email confirmation.

Step 2 – Check Stack Eligibility
During the UI claim process, the system automatically displays a “Benefit Stack” toggle. If the applicant meets any of the secondary program criteria (e.g., income below a certain threshold), the toggle appears with a brief explanation.

Step 3 – Apply for the Secondary Program
Clicking the toggle opens a new application screen for the chosen program (e.g., Mass‑SNAP). Applicants provide supporting documents—pay stubs, a bank statement, or a tax return summary.

Step 4 – Receive Multi‑Program Benefits
Once approved, the system issues UI benefits and sends a separate notification for the secondary benefit. For instance, a claimant could receive $420 per week in UI plus a $210 monthly SNAP stipend. The MDOL’s system keeps track of the cumulative benefit amount and flags any potential conflicts.

The MDOL claims that this process takes under 48 hours from the moment the UI claim is approved, which is a dramatic improvement over the two‑to‑four week wait times reported in 2021.

4. How the Stack Works with Other Assistance

Health Insurance
UI workers are automatically enrolled in the state’s MassHealth program as part of the UI package. If a worker also qualifies for MassHealth, the stack ensures they receive the full coverage without double‑counting the health premium portion.

Tax Credits
The Mass‑EITC is automatically adjusted in the tax software after the UI claim is processed. The stack permits the EITC to be claimed even when UI benefits are in place, provided the total income does not exceed the EITC phase‑out threshold.

Local Grants & Emergency Funds
Some cities, such as Boston and Worcester, have local grant programs that provide emergency rent assistance. The stack’s “capped benefit” model means that an eligible UI recipient can apply for the city grant, which counts separately from the state UI benefits. The MDOL’s portal has links to each city’s grant application (e.g., https://www.boston.gov/social-justice/temporary-rental-assistance).

5. Impact & Perspectives

State Officials
Governor Maura Healey’s Office hailed the stack as “a key step toward an inclusive economic recovery.” “By allowing people to fully tap into the spectrum of assistance, we’re ensuring that no one is left scrambling between programs,” said Healey spokesperson Marissa K. “The new framework reduces administrative burden and speeds up access to money people need.”

Unions & Advocacy Groups
The Massachusetts AFL‑CIO welcomed the stack but urged caution. “The challenge will be to ensure that employers understand how the benefit stack interacts with workers’ payroll data,” said union president Michael DeGennaro. “We also need to safeguard against employers misclassifying jobs to avoid UI liability.”

Economists
An independent analysis from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for New England Policy estimated that the benefit stack could increase the monthly disposable income of unemployed families by an average of $350. The study noted that the extra liquidity might spur local spending, particularly in grocery stores and pharmacies.

Critics
Some fiscal conservatives worry that the stack could “exceed the projected cost of UI.” The state’s budget office, however, has earmarked $1.2 billion for the 2024 fiscal year to support the expanded benefit program, citing a $2.1 billion savings from reduced administrative duplication.

6. Next Steps

The MDOL plans to pilot the benefit stack in two counties—Suffolk and Worcester—in the coming months. Pilot data will be analyzed to adjust eligibility thresholds and streamline the UI portal’s interface. If the pilot proves successful, the stack will roll out statewide by early 2025.

The article also includes a link to the Massachusetts Department of Labor’s FAQ page on the benefit stack, which details common questions such as “Can I claim UI and Mass‑TANF simultaneously?” and “What if I get a job before the stack is approved?”

Bottom Line

Massachusetts’ new benefit stack policy represents a significant shift in how the state coordinates unemployment insurance with other safety‑net programs. By removing the “income‑cap” friction points, the state aims to give unemployed residents the full breadth of financial support they need—without the administrative headaches that previously kept many people in a state of limbo. As the pilot moves forward, all eyes will be on whether the stack delivers the promised economic relief and whether other states will follow Massachusetts’ lead.